Posts by Larry Lewis

There are people over at the local state psychiatric facility who end up staying there for their entire lives—just because they have nowhere else to go and absolutely no support system left. I’ve seen it myself; those wards feel more like halfway houses for the homeless than actual medical units. It isn't a massive group, but they're definitely there.

And look, I get it—everything is insanely expensive these days, so that's just the reality we're living in—but I do agree that people would recover much better if conditions were improved. You see, when you're in a decent ward at a place like the Mayo Clinic, surrounded by people facing similar struggles, there's this unspoken level of empathy among patients that actually helps. I know that from firsthand experience, having spent my own time stuck in one of those facilities.

Sarah Wilson95 said:Well, the report mentions that this individual is unfortunately prone to self-harm, which means they simply cannot be left unsupervised, and since they aren't currently under inpatient care at a hospital for whatever reason, this really does seem like the most practical solution right now.

I just sincerely hope that even modest, non-hospital-grade housing for people with mental health struggles hasn't turned into a predatory "business model" in the way we've seen happen with some of our private nursing homes.🙄

Of course it’s become a business. Honestly, that girl is lucky her family can foot the bill; if it weren't for them, she’d likely spend her entire life rotting away in some dilapidated state ward—if she were even lucky enough to get a bed at all.

Henry Garcia9 said:Just asking, so thanks for the answer. Honestly, I’ve been dealing with my own SCH diagnosis for three years now, and in all that time, I haven't felt a single symptom—it's like I'm not even sick. That's why reading about people having these kinds of flare-ups feels pretty surreal to me. But hey, I guess everyone's body plays by different rules...

Just be grateful that you're doing okay despite dealing with that wretched disease—and believe me, I trust you've walked through hell to get here—but you know, I see so many people living with schizophrenia who are utterly drained by it, and frankly, I'm not far from that state myself.

shadoworca98 said:Could someone please tell me if there are any residential facilities in Washington, D.C. specifically for people living with schizophrenia? It seems like there’s an endless supply of nursing homes for the elderly, but when it comes to mental health facilities, the options are embarrassingly scarce—if not non-existent within Washington, D.C., or even just the surrounding areas of the District of Columbia. I’ve visited a few of them myself, and frankly, I was pretty disappointed; they felt outdated, overcrowded, underfunded, and just generally inhumane.
I’m asking because my sister (who is 28) has been struggling with schizophrenia for about ten years now. She isn't able to function independently and requires constant supervision and care, especially since she has a tendency toward self-harm. Right now, the only real solution would be to find a specialized facility where she could be around people her own age facing similar challenges. I suppose being in a structured environment with professional support might actually help her make some progress. In the meantime, she is on medication constantly.
If anyone happens to know of a decent facility or something similar, please let me know!

Good grief, that is just devastating... poor girl. To think she's only 28... what a heavy burden to carry at that age.

Honestly, things are looking up today—thank God for small mercies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDdeOncpD5E&ob=av2e

Thanks. Look, I’m no doctor—I don't claim to have all the answers—and while it might not look like the end of the world to some, I can tell you firsthand it isn't exactly a walk in the park either. Ugh, this illness is just... it's a real headache, a genuine nuisance. At least I haven't been hit with any of those more severe symptoms yet—thankfully, I suppose—but honestly, I'd give anything just for these milder, nagging ones to finally pack it in and leave me alone.

hollowotter13 said:Hi

I recently learned that an acquaintance of mine was admitted to a psychiatric facility after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
People have started claiming it’s either purely genetic or triggered by some childhood trauma.
I want to know what the actual facts are versus common myths regarding this condition.
Is it true that we all carry a potential predisposition that just suddenly snaps, causing someone to lose touch with reality?

Schizophrenia builds up over time before it actually manifests—at least, that was my experience.

Just a quick heads-up for everyone else out there—I’m going to have to head in for an early check-up because something just isn't sitting right with me. Honestly, wish me luck... I’m hoping the doctors can actually find something useful, because this constant mental fog and brain fog is driving me absolutely insane—it's just relentless, and frankly, I'm sick of it.🙂

Kenneth Scott41 said:I took about six of my 1mg SR Xanax tablets, and then I mixed them with eight extended-release Tramadol pills plus 20 Hepa...

Kenneth Scott41, take it easy on us, man!

hollowviper40 said:What was the goal there? Look, I'm not judging you—I just want to understand what drives someone to go down that path.

The guy is clearly hurting—desperate, really—and most people out there are just jerks who will either make things worse or simply couldn't care less about his misery.

Nicole Barrett76 said:Honestly, I think alter was just being sarcastic when responding to my questions.

My bad, piskavac—I was definitely in a bit of a funk there.
I actually sat through some congressional hearings back in the day—though it was a lifetime ago and passed by in a blink—so I can't even recall
the specifics of what was said or who was testifying, but I do know one thing for certain: they were incredibly awkward to sit through.

The hallucinations are actually quite brilliant—they say some incredibly profound things, and I find myself listening to them intently. Sometimes, though, they’ll just snap at me—loudly, too—so loudly my mother can hear the shouting from the next room. And it isn't just that; it's the constant, nagging idea that we "schizophrenics" are all completely unhinged—that people should just run for the hills because we're dangerous. But honestly? It’s not our fault... it’s more like having some spectral, controlling grandmother hovering over us, dictating every single move we make.

Harold Anderson3 said:Wishing everyone nothing but the best in this new year! 🙂
I've recently come to realize that my entire life seems to revolve around this illness. While other people are busy debating whether things will improve within the European Union or if we should look elsewhere, I know deep down that even ten European Unions wouldn't make a lick of difference if I end up forced into early disability retirement. Plus, there's the reality that I probably won't be able to start a family if I can't get healthy, and if that happens, what kind of life am I actually left with? 🙂 But then again, how things actually play out is anyone's guess, and who knows if I'll even be around for another fifty years. 🤷
I'm not saying everything will definitely go down exactly as I've laid it out here, but man, I can't help but worry...

Man, Harold Anderson3, I'm right there with you. I deal with this too, and those same dark thoughts keep me up at night—you aren't alone in this. What can I even tell you? You just have to live your life and take it as it comes. Just remember, it isn't your fault that you were handed this diagnosis. Wishing you all the best.🙂

I was actually prescribed that during my own treatment for a while—though, if I’m being perfectly honest, it didn't do much for me at all—so my psychiatrist ended up switching me over to a different medication entirely. I didn't experience any side effects, though... thank god for small mercies. Anyway, I'm really rooting for you and hoping this one sits a bit better with your system than the last one did.

Harold Anderson3 said:Well, it's not even "intense" unless they literally tie you to the bed, right? 😲
I'm not entirely sure what triggers schizophrenia, but I suspect it works like most mental illnesses, largely stemming from early childhood trauma, though there's definitely a genetic component involved too. What really keeps me up at night, though, is wondering if there's a way to actually cure it, or at least prevent it from happening in the first place.

Lately, I've been feeling a bit weighed down by a mild depression 😢 just a sense of low spirits, anxiety, and feeling unproductive... it's nothing overwhelming, but it's persistent.
Poor me, right?
Do you deal with much in the way of mood issues yourself?

My childhood was actually wonderful, yet here I am struggling again—it's clearly the genetics. My aunt lives with schizophrenia, and my sister went through an acute psychotic episode once, though she managed to pull through and doesn't even need medication now.
And yes, I'm just as worried as anyone else about finding the right treatment and whether I'll ever be able to lead what you might call a "normal" life despite all this.

If I knew how you felt, I'd tell you—this feeling often washes over me, hangs on for a few days, maybe longer, but eventually it passes. Right now, I'm doing okay, but I'm really just sitting here waiting for the next crisis to hit.🙂
Hang in there, Harold Anderson3.

Harold Anderson3 said:The ER is actually the newest department on campus. That's where they send people who are starting their treatment process, and it's actually quite a massive facility.

My mistake—I thought you said the ICU. Sorry about that! I definitely couldn't handle the ICU, but being in the ER for a few weeks while on vacation? That’s manageable, provided it isn't intensive care.
They’ve tweaked my treatment plan slightly—just some supplements this time, no antipsychotics—so we'll just have to wait and see how that plays out.

Honestly, schizophrenia is such a fascinating, terrifying thing to me because I can't wrap my head around how someone can lose themselves so completely—how they can get so caught up in a reality that isn't there. It’s beyond my comprehension. I went through it myself, you know? During the acute phase, it was pure, unadulterated hell. I honestly don't know how I managed to endure it, let alone recover—or at least, as much as one can actually recover.
In my view, the biggest factor in triggering schizophrenia, or really any mental illness, is this modern world and the frantic way we're forced to live in it. I’m not saying everything is a total disaster—it’s not—but it certainly isn't nearly as good as it ought to be. And when things are this broken, those of us who are a bit more sensitive end up paying the price.

Oh, please—nothing "urgent" about this, I haven't completely lost my marbles just yet.

I’m not heading into inpatient care, even though—and I'll admit this privately—the thought had crossed my mind.

If my doctor can come up with a clever little workaround, we’ll see where things go from there.

Harold Anderson3 said:You're very welcome... if you don't mind me asking, where were you staying?

I spent some time once at the Mayo Clinic, and then twice over at the local psychiatric facility—one stay lasted about three months and the other was closer to ten days. That newer wing at the facility is actually decent enough, if you can believe it.

~Scarlett~ said:
Maybe it isn't just about upping the dosage on the antipsychotics—perhaps the whole treatment plan needs a complete overhaul. I really ought to bring that up at my next check-up. (The paranoid thoughts are still there)

I’m going to lay everything out for the doctor—honestly, what’s the point in keeping secrets? Even if it means spending a week or two checked into a facility while they tweak my meds, it’s not the end of the world. Besides, I'm actually feeling alright today, believe it or not...

I'll just hold steady until my appointment, see what the verdict is, and go from there. That's the plan.

Thanks for the input, Scarlett and Harold Anderson3.

Harold Anderson3 said:I really do know what you're going through... I truly do.🤣
Maybe try bumping up your antipsychotic dose slightly whenever you feel like your stability is slipping. I mentioned earlier that I increased my Zyprexa for a few days myself, which was something my doctor suggested. Just please, whatever you do, don't try to lower the dose on your own! It’s definitely best to have a real conversation about it with your doctor first.

It's a total nightmare, isn't it? Just awful.🙂
I actually upped my medication because I'm feeling a little more level today, so I'll see how things play out over the next few days.

Thanks for the advice, Diego. Hang in there.🙂

driftinggull21 said:What specifically do you mean?

I just don't get how one day can feel perfectly fine—everything is steady, life is good—and then, out of nowhere, these paranoid thoughts start clawing at you, dragging you down into this heavy, dark mental fog.
If you’ve ever dealt with this, you know the feeling—it's like being shoved back to square one after you thought you'd finally made progress.
That’s just the nature of the beast, I suppose... it's a heavy, unpredictable thing, and you almost have to just accept that
this is simply how it is.

I honestly can’t wrap my head around this whole sickness—it makes absolutely zero sense to me, and frankly, I couldn't care less about its logic, so screw it.🙂